Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;PHALDUXHA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALDUXHA’, particularly characterized by having white flowers, 1 to 4 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are obovate, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALDUXHA’. BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALDUXHA’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a new Phalaenopsis plant with several peduncles and numerous attractive and unique white flowers, suitable for potted plant production.

The new Phalaenopsis plant ‘PHALDUXHA’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in October 2005 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands of the proprietary female, or seed parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘23266-0002’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent, Phalaenopsis hybrid ‘11968-0004’ (unpatented).

The new Phalaenopsis was selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands in January 2009. Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by meristem tissue culture since 2011 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europe on Sep. 24, 2015. ‘PHALDUXHA’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALDUXHA’ as a new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant.

-   -   1) White flowers;     -   2) 1 to 4 peduncles;     -   3) Peduncle is long and sturdy; and     -   4) Shape of the leaf is obovate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, from 40-week old plants in January 2016. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms and foliage of ‘PHALDUXHA’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALDUXHA’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaves of ‘PHALDUXHA’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALDUXHA’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in January 2016 on 40-week old plants which were planted from a nursery tray in 9 centimeter (diameter) pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.         -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.         -   Common name.—Moth orchid.         -   Variety name.—‘PHALDUXHA’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘23266-0002’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘11968-0004’             (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture. -   Roots:     -   -   Root description.—Greyed-green colored roots with lateral             roots having light green colored root tips. -   Plant:     -   -   Commercial crop time to flowering.—Approximately 38 to 40             weeks from a rooted cutting to finish in a 9 cm pot.         -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Standard, green leaves, raceme to             panicle.         -   Height (from soil level to top of             inflorescence).—Approximately 24.0 cm to 34.0 cm.         -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 22.0 cm to 27.0 cm.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Leaves:     -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 10 to 12 leaves are             produced before flowering Length (fully expanded): 12.0 cm             to 15.0 cm Width: 7.0 cm to 8.0 cm Shape: Obovate Base             shape: Slightly elongated Apex: Rounded unequal Leaf blade             angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal             position): Between 0 degrees and 25 degrees Leaf margin:             Entire Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A; towards the base RHS             146A Lower surface: RHS 146B Texture: Rough Thickness: 2.9             mm to 3.1 mm Venation: Pattern: Parallel Color of the             midvein: Upper surface: RHS 147A Lower surface: RHS 146A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 4.         -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 14.         -   Length.—25.0 cm to 30.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—4.2 mm to 4.6 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to pendant.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green (RHS 146B) with a touch of greyed-brown (RHS             N199A).         -   Internode length.—20.0 mm to 30.0 mm.         -   Callosities.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme to panicle             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.         -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 130.0 mm to             150.0 mm.         -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 7 to 8 months             after planting in a 9 cm pot.         -   Flower.—Height: 48.0 mm to 53.0 mm Diameter: 58.0 mm to 63.0             mm Depth of lip: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.         -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 8 to 12 weeks.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Flower bud.—Average size: Medium Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm             Width: 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm Shape: Egg shaped Color: Light             green (RHS 145B).         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free Shape: Semi-circular Apex:             Obtuse asymmetric Margin: Entire Length (from base to tip):             28.0 mm to 30.0 mm Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm Color (when             fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS 155C)             Over color: Absent Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS             155C) Over color: Light green at the base (RHS 145D).         -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic Apex: Obtuse symmetric Margin:             Entire Length (from base to tip): 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm Width:             16.0 mm to 18.0 mm Color (when fully opened): Upper surface:             Basic color: White (RHS 155C) Over color: Absent Lower             surface: Basic color: White (RHS 155C) Over color: Light             green (RHS 145D) diluted toward the apex.         -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate Apex: Obtuse asymmetric Margin:             Entire Length (from base to tip): 32.0 mm to 34.0 mm Width:             17.0 mm to 19.0 mm Color (when fully opened): Upper surface:             Basic color: White (RHS 155C) Over color: Diluted             yellow-green (RHS 145D) on one side Lower surface: Basic             color: White (RHS 155C) Over color: Yellow-green (RHS 145D)             on lower side.         -   Labellum (lip).—Margin: Entire Whiskers: Present Length of             whiskers: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm Color of whiskers: White (RHS             155C) Pubescence on the lip: Absent.         -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Spatulate Length (from base to tip):             18.0 mm to 20.0 mm Width: 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm Color: White             (RHS 155C) and green-yellow (RHS 151A and 1B) on one side,             with red-purple dots (RHS 71A) towards the callus.         -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular/trullate Length: 17.0 mm to             19.0 mm Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm Color: White (RHS 155C)             and green-yellow (RHS 151A and 1B) at the base.         -   Callus.—Average size: Medium Height: 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm             Length: 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm Width: 0.4 cm to 0.6 cm Color:             Yellow (RHS 2B) with very small dots.         -   Reproductive organs.—Column: Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm             Diameter: 2.7 mm to 3.0 mm Color: White (RHS 155C) Pollinia:             Quantity: 2 Diameter: 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm Color: Orange (RHS             26A) Ovary (part of pedicel with small ribs towards the             column): Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm Diameter: 2.1 mm to 2.3             mm Pedicel: Length: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm Diameter: 2.4 mm to             2.6 mm Color: Green (RHS 147A), becoming lighter (RHS 145A             to 145C) towards the flower. -   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed, to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis. -   Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on     plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

The female parent of ‘PHALDUXHA’, Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘23266-0002’ (unpatented), is no longer in existence so a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

‘PHALDUXHA’ differs from male parent plant ‘11968-0004’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALDUXHA’ has strong curvature of the lateral lobe, whereas ‘11968-0004’ has medium curvature of the lateral lobe. Additionally, ‘PHALDUXHA’ has longer whiskers and wider flowers than ‘11968-0004’.

‘PHALDUXHA’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALBAPAK’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,508) and ‘ANTWAREN’ (unpatented). ‘PHALDUXHA’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALBAPAK’ in that ‘PHALDUXHA’ has sepals with lower surfaces that have light green over color, petals with an obtuse apex, and a lateral lobe of the lip that is dotted at the base, whereas ‘PHALBAPAK’ has sepals with lower surfaces that have light purple over color, petals with a rounded apex, and a lateral lobe of the lip that is striped at the base. Additionally, ‘PHALDUXHA’ has narrower petals than ‘PHALBAPAK’.

‘PHALDUXHA’ differs from the commercial variety ‘ANTWAREN’ in that ‘PHALDUXHA’ has petals with an obtuse apex and medium callus, whereas ‘ANTWAREN’ has petals with a rounded apex and small callus. Additionally, ‘PHALDUXHA’ has longer whiskers than ‘ANTWAREN’. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALDUXHA’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 